Bobbin-clutching spinning-spindle.



J. V. CUNNIFF.

BOBBIN GLUTGHING SPINNING SPINDLE.

APPLIUATION FILED JAN. 3, 1911.

Patented Apr.23, 1912.

UNTTED sTATEs PATENT onirica.

JOHN V. CUNNIFF, OF FALL RIVER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T0 JAMES K.LANNING, 0F BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

BOBBIN-CLUTCHING SPINNING-SPINDLE.

VSpecification of Letters Patent. l

Patented Apr. 23, 1912.

Application led January 3, 1911. Serial No. 600,562.

To all `whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN V. CUNNIFF, a citizen of the United States, anda resident of Fall River, in the county of Bristol and State ofMassachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Bobbin-ClutchingSpinning-Spindles, of which the following description, in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on thedrawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to bobbin-clutching spinning spindles. In orderthat the principle thereof may be readily understood, I have disclosed asingle embodiment thereof in the accompanying drawing, wherein- Figure 1is a side elevation of a spindle embodying my invention, the bobbinbeing in position thereon and in section; Fig. 2 is a verticallongitudinal se-ction of the spindle shown in Fig. 1 with-the bobbinthereon; Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional detail through the spring arms,and representing the spindle at rest and the bobbin removed; and Fig. 4is a transverse section taken through the spindle upon the line 4-4 ofFig. 2.

The purpose of my invention is to provide effective means for clutchingthe bobbins upon spinning spindles.

Attempts have been made heretofore to provide spinning spindles withbobbinclutching devices, but so far as I am aware without completesuccess. It has been proposed to provide the spindle with a Xed,non-yielding base to enter the enlarged, lower portion of the bobbin,but in such constructions the bobbin has been held in position eithertoo loosely or too tightly, the former condition resulting from theapplication of too little force in positioning the bobbin, and thelatter condition resulting from forcing the bobbin down upon the spindletoo violently. In the former case the bobbin works loose during thespinning operation, and in the latter case it is difficult to remove thelled bobbin in dofling. Attempts have also been made to provide spindleswith spring arms or other spring devices to engage the interior of thebobbin, but it has been necessary to modify the structure of the spindleby boring or grooving the same, which seriously interferes with itsoperation, or to provide a structure which quickly clogs with lint anddirt, and thus interferes not only with the proper running of thespindle but prevents the intended operation of the bobbin clutchingelements.

During recent years many attempts have been made to provide an effectivebobbin clutching spindle having centrifugally acting arms or members,which when the spindle is at rest are not in bobbin driving grippingengagement with the bobbin, but which when the spindle is driven areintended to move radially outward and to clutch the interior of thebobbin. These devices are not etlicient.` They do not center andposition the bobbin when the latter is rst applied thereto and thespindle is at rest, but such partial centering of the bobbin as canoccur must take place only after the spindle has acquired momentum inrotation. It is exceedingly important that t-he bobbin be accuratelycentered when first positioned upon the spindle and the latter is atrest. The radially movable blades of centrifugally acting spindles arepeculiarly liable to become clogged and necessitate frequent cleaning.When clogged they lose their capacity for centrifugal action and becomefixed in a position where they present either too small a peripheralsurface to clutch the bobbin effectively or too large a surface toreceive the bobbin. If the blades become clogged at their upper ends,then they are Xedly held in an unduly expanded condition and the bobbincannot be placed thereon. If, on the contrary, the blades become cloggedat the bottom, then they present too small a peripheral surface toclutch the bobbin. In certain centrifugally act-ing spindle clutchingdevices, the centrifugally acting blades are rigid with the 'spindle andweighted or enlarged at their lower end in order to increase thecentrifugal action. They are therefore very liable to snap offr1 whenthe spindle is rotating at speed, inasmuch as the blades are weakest atthe point where they are rigidly connected with the spindle.

So far as I am aware, all spindles provided with centrifugally actingclutching blades have a tendency to throw off the bobbins in starting.This is owing to the fact that when power is applied to the spindles andthey start to move from a position of rest, the bobbins are not heldthereon but merely rest loosely about the spindles. Therefore, until thespindles have acquired sufiicient momentum to cause the blades to bethrown out under centrifugal action, the bobbin is not held with adriving grip and the rotation of the spindle will therefore frequentlythrow the bobbin A from the spindle. Moreover, centrifugally actingblades cut into the interior face of the bobbin and roughen or splinterthe same and 'in time render them useless.

When a spindle is doffed, the yarn is customarily broken at the top ofthe doed bobbin and the end extending from the drawing rolls is wrappedabout the spindle at about the point where the lower end of the bobbinis received thereon, so that when the empty bobbin is positioned uponthe spindle, the end may be gripped between the spindle and the innerface of the bobbin. This yarn end will not be securely held by thecentrifugally acting blades for the reason that while the spindle is atrest, the centrifugally acting blades are so far removed from theinterior of the bobbin that they cannot at such time grip the end.

My invention, as hereinafter set forth, is radically distinguished fromstructures wherein the sleeve whirl is longitudinally slitted to provideresilient arms. In such cases, the slits cannot extend to the extremelower edge of the whirl, and therefore free, stiiiy resilient armscannot be thus provided. Moreover, such devices rely for their grippingengagement with the bobbin upon centrifugal action and do not occupytheir extreme outward, radial position when the spindle is at rest.Therefore they do not effectively grip and center the bobbin when thelatter is positioned thereon in a condition of rest of the bobbin.Moreover the slits in order to provide resilient arms must extend wellbelow the lower edge of the bob bin, and therefore permit theintroduction of lint and dust to the interior of the sleeve whirl.

I have overcome the objections incident to the several types ofbobbin-clutching spindles by providing a set of stifliy resilient springarms which center the bobbin immediately as it is received thereon andwhile the spindle is still at rest. The spring arms are so constructedthat they exclude all lint and foreign matter from that portion of thespindle enveloped by them, and they occupy their maximum outwardposition when the spindle is at rest and the bobbin removed,

so that they are slightly compressed by the bobbin when positionedthereon, this resulting in an immediate driving grip between the bobbinand the spindle. Moreover, the construction of parts is such that theinvention may readily be applied to existing driven thereon.

Yof the bobbins.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the spindle blade isrepresented at 1, it being of any suitable construction, and preferablyformed of the usual spindle steel. The whirl is represented at 2 and isArigid withthe spindle blade, it being provided with a preferablytapered, upwardly eX- tended head 3. Near the upper end of the whirl, Ipreferably rigidly apply thereto or form integral therewith a collar 4.At a suitable point above the whirl, near the base of the bobbin 5, whenin position upon the spindle, I apply a metallic sleeve or shell 6 rigidwith the spindle, being preferably This shell may be formed of anysuitable material, but preferably of so-callcd brown spring steel. Thesleeve or shell 6 is of a general tapering form and is extended downwardto a point 7 preferably vslightly below the lower end of the bobbin`clogging and from being tampered with.

The collar 4 constitutes a bobbin-seat for the reception of the lowerend of the bobbin when the latter occupies its lowermost posiktio-n.

In order to cause the sleeve or shell G to clutch t-he bobbin 5, I slitthe shell longitudinally at a plurality of points as indicated at 10 toprovide arms 1l, the number' of spring arms into which the shell is thusdivided being preferably four, but two or even eight arms might beprovided. I have, however, obtained the best spindle centering effectswith four spring arms, as illustrated. It will be noted that the slits10 are narrow and that the spindle is wholly enveloped by said arms 11and that lint and foreign matter cannot find its way between said armsand the portion of the spindle surrounded thereby. The said arms 11extend to substantially the base of and envelop the head 3 of the whirlfrom which they are slightly spaced, as indicated at 12 in Fig. 2, when.the spindle is at rest and the bobbin is removed therefrom. Inpositioning the bobbin upon the spindle, the mere weight of the bobbincompresses said arms 11 inwardly from their maximum outward, radialposition to a sufiicient extent to cause an effective clutching orgripping action to take place between said arms and the interior of thebobbin. This slight compression of the arms 1l need not be suicient tocause the said arms to move into contact with the head 3 of the whirl.The described compression of the arms ll not only results in theimmediate gripping engagement of said arms with the interior of thebobbin, but the bobbin is immediately centered when applied to thespindle and before power is applied to drive the spindles. rI`hus, whenthe spindle rotation commences, there is no tendency to throw thebobbins therefrom, as they have been already effectively gripped by thearms 11. The said arms 1l are stify resilient and can yield but veryslightly when the bobbin is applied thereto.

As shown clearly in Figs. l, 2 and 3, the shell is of graduallyincreasing diameter from its upper to substantially its extreme lowerend, so that the point of greatest and most effective gripping action isat the bottom of the bobbin, or in other words, is at that portion ofthe bottom of the bobbin chamber that is of the greatest diameter andpreferably at the extreme lower edge of the bobbin chamber, whether thebobbin be forced fully down to its lowest level or whether it be stoppedat a higher level. Because of the fact that the point of most effectivegripping action is at the point described, the bobbin is driven evenlyand smoothly, whereas, were the bobbin most tightly gripped at a pointsubstantially above its bottom, the bobbin would wabble when driven at ahigh speed. The spring arms 1l are of greatest radial extent at theirlower ends, and when they are at restthe diameter of the lower end ofthe sleeve or shell is slightly greater than the diameter of the bobbinchamber. It is highly important that the clutching sleeve or shell besuch that it will effectively grasp bobbins not only of a normaldiameter of chamber, but of less than such normal diameter of chamber,caused by wetting'. The arms 1l of the gradually enlarging sleeve orshell effectively grip the bobbin preferably at its extereme lower edgeas above described, whether the chamber be of normal diameter or of lessthan normal diameter. If in attempting to apply a bobbin to the spindle,

it be found that the chamber thereof is of greater diameter than thenormal diameter of the lower end of the sleeve, such bobbin is for bestresults at once discarded, because an important feature of my inventionis the centering and gripping of the bobbin upon the spindle when thelatter is in a state of rest. nasmuch as the spring arms engage with adriving fit that portion of the bottom of the bobbin chamber that is ofthe greatest diameter, my invention is especially useful with that typeof chambered bobbin having a metallic ring or band at the extreme lowerportion of the inner face of the bobbin chamber. Bobbins having suchmetallic bands have repeatedly been tried, but have never beensuccessfully used, because it has not been possible to grip the innerface of said band with a solid sleeve. Bobbins with such rings or bandsare desirable inasmuch as the bobbin at its bottom is always of the samesize, the swell of the wood not affecting said ring, thus permitting thebobbin always to go down to the same level. More over, the ring protectsthe wood of the bobbin. The spring arms herein disclosed grip againstsuch a ring when the bobbin is dropped thereunto and while the spindleis in a state of rest.

Inasmuch as the blades 11 occupy substantially their extreme outwardradial position when the spindle is at rest, I do not need in practiceto rely upon centrifugal action of said blades to secure a driving`engagement with the bobbin. Preferably the said blades 1l are thickestat their upper ends, as illustrated at 18 in Fig. 3, and taper down to athin edge 7 as there shown. The effect of this construction is to makethe arms stronger and less liable to snap at the point where there hasbeen the greatest tendency to snap in ccntrifugally acting blades.

An important object of the invention is to provide an economical andcheaply made spinning spindle having a clutching device, and as a partof this object, to provide means whereby existing spindles may bereadily improved by the addition of the herein described shell, deviceor member thereto, without slotting or cutting the spindle structure orwithout the loss of existing parts.

The shell, member or device is downwardly flaring and is inherentlyexpansive. That is, upon bobbin removal, the arms of the shellinherently and normally expand, even with the spindle in a condition ofrest. This is not the case with those bobbin clutching devices relyingupon centrifugal action for their clutching effect and which aretherefore normally contractile. The shell or member is of increasingexpansive resiliency toward and to its open lower end -and is providedwith an upper band portion exteriorly and rigidly engaging the spindlestructure. It will be observed that the spring arms ll have their outersurfaces normally spaced diametrically in excess of the diameter of thebobbincase chamber, that is when the spindle is at rest and the bobbinis removed, so that the lower portion of these arms flares into the pathof the bobbin-chamber wall upon bobbin placement. It will further beobserved that the arms l1 at their lower ends extend into closeproximity to the whirl and the bobbin seat, whereby resilientcontraction of said arms is limited to an extent slightly in excess ofbobbin-caused contracting movement and whereby the said shell or deviceand the bobbin seat coperatively form a guard about their inclosedspindle-surrounding chamber to restrict lint entrance thereinto.

The structure and operation of the spring arms 11 are such that theyeffectively bind between them and the interior of the bobbin the end ofthe yarn customarily wrapped about the spindle between the lower end ofthe same and the empty bobbin. This is important and is a res-ult notobtained in centrifugally acting spindles so far as I am aware.

A spindle constructed in accordance with my invention always remainsbalanced and runs true. The weight of the bobbin is sufficient to cause:a driving engagement between the spring arms and the bobbin, and t-hebobbin remains tightly gripped while the rotation of the bobbincontinues. The structure of the arms is such that existing types ofbobbins can readily be applied thereto, so that the invention issusceptible of application not only to existing spindles but also tostandard types of bobbins, and therefore may be applied at a minimum ofexpense.

It will be evident from the foregoing description that the bobbin isclutched instantly upon the application of the bobbin to the spindle andby the mere weight of the bobbin, though if desired slight force may beemployed in positioning the bobbin. The bobbin is immediately centeredand while the spindle is at rest, thus preventing any possibility of thebobbin being thrown from the spindle upon applying power to the latter.Moreover, the bobbin is accurately centered and hence the spindle runssmoothly and true.

Having thus described one illustrative embodimentof my invention, Idesire it to be understood that although specific terms are employed,they are used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes oflimitation, the scope of the invent-ion being set tort-h in thefollowing claims.

Claims:

l. 'A spindle comprising a spindle blade; a whirl unyieldably mountedthereon; a downwardly Haring, open-ended, inherently expansive anddivided bobbin supporting and centering shell, independent of saidwhirl, also rigidly mounted on said spindle blade, said shell being ofincreasing expansive resiliency toward and to its lower open end; and afixed bobbin seat adjacent the lower end of said shell to determine thelowermost position of a bobbin pressed downward thereon and over and tocontract said supporting shell.

2. In combination with a spindle struc-V ture having a blade and a whirlunyieldably mounted thereon; a downwardly flaring, open-ended,inherently expansive and divided bobbin supporting and centering memberrigidly mounted on said spindle structure above the driving portion ofthe whirl, said member being of increasing expansive resiliency towardand to its lower open end, and a fixed bobbin seat adjacent the lowerend of said member to determine the lowermost position of a bobbinpressed downward thereupon and over and to contract said supportingmember.

3. In combination with a spindle structure having a blade and a whirlunyieldably mounted thereon; a downwardly flaring, open-ended,inherently expansive bobbin supporting and centering device rigidlymounted on said spindle structure above the driving portion of thewhirl, said device being of increasing expansive resiliency toward andto its lower open end, and a fixed bobbin seat adjacent the lower end ofsaid device to determine the lowermost position of a bobbin presseddownward thereupon and over and to contract said supporting device, thelatter extending into close proximity to said seat and having narrowslots eX- tending to its lower end, thereby substantially to excludelint.

4L. In combination with a spindle structure having a blade, a band-whirlunyieldably mounted thereon and a fixed seat above the band receivingportion of the latter to limit the lowermost position of a carriedbobbin; a downwardly flaring, clutching and centering device to engagethe bobbin interiorly at the lower portion, rigidly mounted on saidspindle structure above said seat, said device having an upper bandportion exteriorly engaging said spindle structure and also having aplurality of radially symmetrically arranged members dependent from saidupper band portion and free at their lower ends and of increasingresiliency downward, and inherently expansive to clutch and center abobbin pressed downward thereover toward Vsaid seat.

5. In combination with a spindle structure having a blade, a band-whirlunyieldably mounted thereon, and a fixed seat above the band receivingportion of the latter to limit the lowermost position of a carriedbobbin, a downwardly flaring, clutching and centering device, open atits lower end, and adapted interiorly to engage the bobbin-case chamberwall, said device having an upper band portion rigidly mounted on saidspindle structure and also having a plurality of radially symmetricallyarranged members dependent therefrom, with their outer surfaces normallyspaced diametrically in excess of the diameter of said bobbin basechamber, and of increasing resiliency downward to clutch and center abobbin pressed 6. In combination with a spindle structure having ablade, a band-whirl unyieldably mounted thereon, and a iXed seat abovethe band receiving portion of the latter to limit the lowermost positionof a carried bobbin; a downwardly flaring, clutching and centeringdevice to engage the bobbin chamber wall interiorly at the lowerportion, rigidly mounted on said spindle structure above said seat, saiddevice being formed as an open-ended shell having an upper band por#tion engaging said spindle structure and also having a downwardlyextended portion normally flaring into the path of the bobbin chamberwall upon bobbin placement, but being symmetrically slotted to permitresilient contraction, thereby to clutch and center the.bobbin whenpressed downward thereover toward said seat.

7. In combination with a spindle structure having a blade, a bandewhirlunyieldably mounted thereon, and a iiXed seat above the band receivingportion of the latter to limit the lowermost position of a carriedbobbin; a downwardly flaring clutching and centering device to engagethe bobbin interiorly at the lower portion, said device being rigidlymounted on said spindle structure above said seat, and formed as a shellopen at the lower end, having an upper band portion engaging saidspindle structure and also having a portion depending therefrom,progressively thinner downward, symmetrically slotted to its lower end,and resiliently yieldable to clutch and center a bobbin pressed downwardthereover toward said seat.

8. In combination with a spindle structure having a blade, a band-whirlunyieldably mounted thereon, and a fixed seat above the band receivingportion of the latter to limit the lowermost position of a carriedbobbin; a bobbin clutching and centering device rigidly mounted on saidspindle structure above said seat, said device being formed as adownwardly flaring, open-ended shell having an upperband portionengaging said spindle structure and also having a portion dependenttherefrom into close proximity to said whirl and seat, said dependentportion being normally disposed to intersect the path of the bobbinchamber wall upon bobbin-placement, but symmetrically and narrowlyslotted toward and to its lower end, whereby resilient contraction ofsaid shell is limited to an extent slightly in eX- cess ot bobbin-causedcontracting movement, and whereby said device and seat coperatively forma guard about their inclosed spindle-surrounding chamber to restrictlint entrance thereinto.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOI-IN V. CUNNIFF.

Witnesses:

CHAs. S. NENESAY, NICHOLAS HATHEWAY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

